Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption
Women who who would have attended the event were told by organisers to be covered from the chest to the knees

A waterpark near the French city of Marseille has cancelled a day booked by Muslim women to wear "burkinis", the all-over swimming garment.

A statement made by the waterpark said the decision had been taken to preserve public order which was being endangered by "extreme ideological positions".

The "burkini day" was intended only for women wanting to wear the garment.

But it was criticised by conservative politicians who argued it contravened legally-enshrined secular values.

Event Organisers Smile 13 had said that the event, scheduled for 10 September, was for women wearing an all-over body suit that covered from the chest to the knees. The group had made clear that two-piece swimming costumes would not be allowed.

Smile 13 says that, since announcing its plans earlier this month, it has received revolver bullets delivered by courier. In a Facebook post (in French), the group condemned what it called "the Islamophobic polemic" to which it was subjected.